Reversible sign for horse-cars



(No Model.)

P. E. WEBB.

REVERSIBLE SIGN FOR HORSE CARS.

No. 449,506. Patented Mar. 31,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIC E. WEBB, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

REVERSIBLE SIGN FOR HORSE-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 449,506, dated March 31, 1891. Application filed December 9,1890. Serial No. 374,104. 'No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIC E. WEBB, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Reversible Signs for Horse Cars, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification. Figure 1 represents a plan view showing my improved reversible signs arranged on top of a horse-car. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged central longitudinal section on the line X X shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of one of the reversible signs; and Fig. e represents a cross-section on the line Y Y shown in Fig. 2.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on the different parts of the drawings.

A represents the top or roof of a horse-car or other vehicle or conveyance, and B represents one of the improved reversible signs, which is preferably made four-sided, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and mounted on a shaft or spindle b, which is loosely journaled in one end in a bracket or bearing 1), that is suitably secured to the car-top A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. To the opposite end of the spindle b is secured the handle or hand-wheel b", as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The end of the spin dle 1) near the hand-wheel b" is made square in section, as shown at b in Figs. 1 and 2, and is adapted to rest in' a corresponding recess B in the post or bracket B, that is secured in a suitable manner to the car-top, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

The bracket B" has in its upper end an enlarged perforation B communicating with the recess B, by which arrangement the handle end of the spindle Z) may be raised up into the enlarged perforation B to allow the said spindle to be turned around its axis whenever it is desired tochange or reverse the sign B, and after the latter has been so changed or reversed it is locked in position by placing the square end 19 of the spindle b in the locking-recess B in the bracket B", as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

For the purpose of enabling the conductor or person in charge of the sign to adjust it without going outside of the car to see if the in Fig. 2'.

right sign is displayed, I provide one or both ends of the sign B with indicators or letterings b b b 19 corresponding to the wording of the respective sides of said sign, as shown in Fig. 3. I also provide the sign with means for turning or reversing it from the inside of the car or from below the roof A, which is done by means of a shaft or spindle b journaled in a bearing Z), secured to the roof A, said spindle passing loosely through a perforation in said roof, and has attached to its lower end a handle or hand-wheel 0 as shown To the upper end of said spindle b is secured a small bevel-gear b the teeth of which mesh into the teeth of a similar bevelgear'b secured to the sign-spindle b, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, if the operator desires to change or reverse the sign from the inside of the car, he takes hold of the handwheel I) and pushes it upward sufficient to cause the square spindle end b to come into the enlarged perforation B when by turning said hand-wheel b a rotary motion is imparted to the sign B by means of the gear connection above mentioned.

0 represents a similar reversible sign on the opposite side of the car, and 0 represents the shaft or spindle to which it is secured, said spindle being loosely journaled in the bearings o a secured to the car-roof.

D and E represent similar reversible signs arranged, respectively, at opposite ends of the canroof, as shown in Fig. 1.

(Z and e are the spindles for the said respective signs D and E, and d cl c e are the bearings in which said spindles (Z and e are journaled.

For the purpose of enabling the operator to adjust all of said signs at one operation, I gear the spindles of said signs together, as shown in Fig. 1, where b represents a bevel-gear meshing in the teeth of the bevel-gear d", secured to the spindle (Z. d is a similar bevelgear secured to the opposite end of said spindle d, the teeth of which mesh in the teeth of the bevel-gear c, secured to the spindle c. o is a similar bevel-gear secured to the opposite end of the spindle c, the teeth of which mesh in the teeth of the bevel-gear a, secured tothe spindle e, as shown in Fig. 1. Thus it will be seen that all the signs may be reversed or adjusted and locked in position simply by manipulating the hand-wheel b" on the spindle Z), or the ban d-Wheel 11 as above mentioned.

The invention, although particularly designed and adapted for horse-cars, may, however, to equal advantage be used for other purposes where a reversible sign or signs are needed.

Having thus fully described the nature, construction, and operation of my invention, I Wish to secure by Letters Patent, and claim- 1. The reversible sign B, secured to the shaft 5, said shaft being loosely journaled in one end in the bearing 1), and having its other end b made square and vertically adjustable, combined with the bracket B", having the recess B for receiving the square portion of the said spindle, and the enlarged perforation B into Which the spindle is raised while being turned for adjusting or reversing the sign, substantlally as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The reversible sign B and its spindle b, secured together, said spindle being loosely journaled in one end in the bearing 1), and having its other end square and adapted to be locked and vertically adjustable in the bracket B, having the recess B and enlarged perforation B as described, in combination with the gear I), secured to the spindle b, and the gear 11 meshing in the former and secured to the spindle b said spindle being journaled in the bearing b capable of longitudinal adjustment therein and provided with a hand-wheelior handle b substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The reversible sign B and its spindle b, secured together, said spindle being loosely journaled in one end in the bearing 1), and

adapted to be vertically adjustable in itsother end in the bracket B, in combination with indicators 19 b at the end of the sign corresponding to the lettering of the faces of said sign, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The reversible sign B and its spindle 19, secured together, said spindle being loosely journaled in one end in the bearing 19', and adapted to be vertically adjustable in its other end in the perforated recessed bracket B B B in combination with one or more reversible signs 0 D E, having spindles journaled in bearings, said spindles being all positively geared together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, on this 5th day of December, A. D. 1888.

FREDERIO E. WEBB.

Witnesses:

ALBAN ANDRI'EN,

SELMA R. SoHELIN. 

